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H. N. FENNBR.

AUTOMANG PIRE ALARM.

(No Model.)

Patented June 10.1884.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERBERT N. FENNER, OF PROVIDENCE, ,RHODEISLAND.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,970, dated June 10,1884.

Application filed January 17, 18811. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT N. FENNEE,

of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, have invented a new anduseful Automatic Fire-Alarm; and I do hereby declare that the followingspecification, taken in connection with the drawings making a part ofthe same, is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

Figure l is a view of my device. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of same.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of same, showing relative position ofwires. Fig. 4: is a vertical section of my invention as applied toordinary call-bells.

The object of my invention is to produce a comparatively inexpensive,sel f-operating, and reliable nre-alarm, which shall be adapted todwellings, hotels, and buildings used for business purposes, and whichshall serve both to reveal the presence of and locate the lire; and itconsists in the device for that purpose here inafter described andlclaimed.

In the drawings, A, Figs. l, 2, and 3, is a metallic plate, to which areattached arms B B, which support a sleeve, C. Vorking vin the sleeve Cis a rod, D, around which, within said sleeve and held between ashoulder, e, thereon, and a bushing, j', is aspiral spring, G. w is across-bar or pin,` which prevents the spring from throwing the rod outof the sleeve.

A device constructed as described is placed and attached within eachroom of the building. Before attachment the rod D is pressed downagainst the resistance of the spring, and the end secured to theplateAbya soft solder, z, fusible at a low degreel of heat, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3. In the event of a fire in the room a sufiicient degree ofheat will soon be acquired to soften the solder, when the rod D will bereleased and will be thrown outward by the spring G, as seen in Fig. l.IVithin the stroke of the rod D are the overlapping ends of two wires,HI, which are brought into and held in contact thereby, thus completingan electric circuit and causing an alarm located in any desired place tobe continually sounded. My invention, by a suitable change inconstruction, may be adapted to the ordinary callbell in such a mannerthat while it will not interfere with its legitimate use, it will, inaddition, operate to connect the overlapping ends of electric wires, asbefore described in case of fire.

In the drawings, A, Fig. 4, is a button or plate of the form usuallysecured to the wall,`

having a rod, D, and sleeve C corresponding to the same parts in Figs.1, 2, and 3, before described.

When it is desired to use the device as a callbell, the rod D is pressedin with the thumb or Enger-,the resistance of the surrounding springbeing overcome, and the overlapping ends H I of the wires temporarilyunited. Vhen the pressure is released the rod D will be carried back bythe spring G, as will be readily seen, to its former position. Thesleeve C is constructed with arms M M and N N upon two sides, havingparallel rods O O working therein.. Attached to the rods O O, andpassing through slots P P in the sleeve C and surrounding the rod D, isa bar, Q. Between the outer ends of the bar Q and the rods M M arespiral springs R R. The ends of the rods O O are soldered with the softsolder z, before described, to the front plate of the device, as

shown in Fig. 4. When a sufficient degree of 7 5 heat is attained tofuse the solder, the rods O O are released, the springs R R carry themfor ward, and also the rod D, through the action or assistance of thebar Q, until the rod D is brought in contact with and unites theoverlapping wires, as before described, with the same result.

In adapting the device to call-bells, one set of wires is sufficient inthe building. It has also the additional advantage of communicating withthe annunciator at the office, and by a continuous sound indicating theparticular room in which the fire has been ignited.

I am aware that many variations in the construction of the devicedescribed may be made while the same principle is retained.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The combination, with the spring-actuated arm D, free to be moved tomake electrical contact when desired, of th e cross-head Q, operatw ingupon the arm D, the rods o, springs R, and soft solder z, substantiallyas set forth, whereby the melting of the solder will cause the contactto be made, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

HERBERT N. FENNER.

Witnesses:

WALTER B. VINCENT, JAMEs D. OHEEN.

